Use of Agency Staff, Booking Offices-South West Trains

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

Circular No IR.193/13




Our Ref: BR2/13/1
28th March 2013


Dear Colleagues,

Use of Agency Staff, Booking Offices – South West Trains

As a result of an investigation into alleged fraud at Richmond Booking Office a number of staff have been suspended.

The Union sought assurances from SWT that agency workers would not be utilised to cover these agreed established positions and that full time employees would be used. We further asked that a meeting with the local committee and manager be held to agree rostering arrangements at Richmond. We were pleased to receive assurances on both issues.

However, the union has now found out that the meeting has never taken place and that agency staff are being utilised despite assurances to the contrary. Obviously this is unacceptable as the union appears to have been deliberately misled by South West Trains. We accepted these assurances in good faith.

I have written to South West Trains demanding, by return, their assurance that they will honour their previous commitment. Should they fail to do so then this will result in the union being in dispute with the company.

Yours sincerely,



Bob Crow
General Secretary

Disciplinary Procedures, Conflict Avoidance, Guards-South West Trains

Circular No: IR/182/13

TO ALL BRANCHES, REGIONAL COUNCILS & REGIONAL OFFICES

Our Ref: BR2/4/4

22nd March 2013


Dear colleague

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES, CONFLICT AVOIDANCE, GUARDS – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

Further to my Circular No IR/614/12 dated the 3rd November 2012 with regards to the above matter and where I informed you that I would be writing to South West Trains seeking assurances from the company that none of our members will be penalised for assessing that they should not walk away in a particular situation and that each case will be judged fairly on its own merits. I now write to advise you that I have received a response from South West Trains and the matter has again been subject to recent consideration by the General Grades Committee, their decision is as follows:

“That we note the correspondence from South West Trains stating ‘an employee would not be penalised simply for assessing that they should not walk away’ when dealing with conflict.

Each situation of conflict should always be risk assessed by the member of staff involved and we are pleased that South West Trains appear to have been the error of their ways.

Relevant Branches and Wessex Regional Council to be advised.”

I trust this keeps you fully advised on the matter.

Best wishes.

Bob Crow
General Secretary

Campaign for Trade Union Freedom Launch and Rally

Dear Colleagues,

Campaign for Trade Union Freedom Launch & Rally
This Saturday, 23 March 2013
1:30 – 4:30pm at Friend’s Meeting House, Euston Road, London

RMT’s support for trade union rights and freedoms is well documented, most recently through our support for the United Campaign for Trade Union Freedom.

I am pleased to confirm that on 3rd December 2012 the United Campaign for Trade Union Freedom and the Liaison Committee for the Defence of Trade Unions agreed to join forces and the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom – TUF – was born. In the best traditions of the two parent organisations, TUF will continue to fight to defend and enhance trade union rights, oppose anti-union laws and to promote collective bargaining across the UK, Europe and the world in the fight against inequality and poverty.

It is important that RMT members attend and that our union is well represented at the Launch and Rally for Trade Union Freedom on Saturday, 23 March in the Friends’ Meeting House, 173 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ from 1:30 until 4:30. Confirmed Speakers, to date, include myself and Billy Hayes, General Secretary, CWU. Speakers invited include, Frances O’Grady, General Secretary, TUC, Len McCluskey, General Secretary, UNITE, Dave Prentis, General Secretary, UNISON, Mark Serwotka, General Secretary, PCS, Christine Blower, General Secretary, NUT, Mick Whelan, General Secretary, ASLEF and Roger McKenzie, Assistant General Secretary, UNISON.

I hope that you will be able to join us in what will be a great event and help build the foundations of a successful future campaign. Please bring your branch banners.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow
General Secretary


www.rmt.org.uk/ www.rmtv.org.uk/ www.rmtjunction.org.uk/







The information contained in this message is confidential and is intended for the addressee only. If you have received this message in error, or if there are any problems, please notify the originator immediately. The unauthorised use, disclosure, copying or alteration of this message is strictly forbidden.

Uniforms-Rail Gourmet Staff

Circular No IR/176/13

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

Our Ref: HC/3/1

20th March 2013


Dear Colleagues

UNIFORMS – RAIL GOURMET STAFF

Further to my Circular No IR/704/12 dated the 20th December 2012 with regards to the above matter and where I informed you that I would raise this issue with the Train Operating Companies who outsource their catering functions to Rail Gourmet, I now write to inform you that I have received a response from some of the TOCs.

Therefore, the matter has again been subject to recent consideration by the General Grades Committee and the following decision has been taken:

“That we note the correspondence received from four of the Regional Organisers. Of these only South West Trains have been entered into correspondence regarding this matter. However, Rail Gourmet claims to hold contracts with the following companies:

Abellio Greater Anglia
DB Schenker
Eurostar
Gatwick Express
South West Trains
Bluebell Railway
East Coast ML
First Great Western
Hull Trains
Southern
Chiltern Railway
East Midland Trains
Scotrail
Southeastern
Virgin

Therefore, we instruct the General Secretary to again contact the Regional Organisers with responsibility for these companies to:

• Identify the uniforms worn by Rail Gourmet employees working within these companies and where the uniform is that of the TOC concerned, to place this matter on the agenda for negotiation with the said TOC as soon as is possible. Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.”

In accordance with the above, I will now be acting on the instructions of the GGC decision and I will, of course, keep you fully advised on any further developments.

Best wishes.

Bob Crow
General Secretary

Branch Meeting 28th March 2013

To advise that Steve Hedley (Assistant General Secretary) will be in attendance to address the Branch on the 28th March 2013.

Steve will be speaking to members on National issues, and will also be available to take questions from Branch members.

Also at the meeting delegates will be updating the Branch on their attendance at National Conferences.

A pay update on the recent final offer that the Union has received from South West Trains on the 2012 October pay review, this will follow a meeting that the Company Council Reps are having with the Assistant General Secretary and the Regional Organiser on the 22nd March to discuss the offer and the next steps.

Inflation Rates

Head Office Circular No. NP/067/13

To the Secretary all Branches,
Council of Executive members,
Regional Councils and Regional Offices.

Tuesday 19th March 2013


Dear Colleagues,


New Inflation Rates

The Office for National Statistics has just published new inflation figures for the twelve months to February 2013.

The Retail Price Index (RPI) stood at 3.2% for the year to February 2013, down 0.1% from the 3.3% figure to January 2013.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 2.8% for the year to February 2013, up 0.1% from the 2.7% figure to January 2013.

According to the ONS, electricity and gas prices were up the most. With recreational goods (such as games and photographic equipment), motor fuels and air transport also up. The cost of food (especially chocolate and confectionery) as well as soft drinks and alcoholic drinks was down.

RMT pay submissions will continue to emphasise that your financial commitments have increased at a greater rate than official inflation and that your living standards are undermined by this disparity.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow
General Secretary

'Tell Us' Employee Survey-South West Trains

Circular No IR/170/13

To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils

Our Ref: BR2/11/4

14th March 2013


Dear Colleague

‘TELL US’ EMPLOYEE SURVEY – SOUTH WEST TRAINS

I have received correspondence from South West Trains with regards to a ‘Tell Us’ employee survey which is due to be issued to staff during March 2013. The matter has been subject to recent consideration by the General Grades Committee and their decision is as follows:

“That we note the report from our Regional Organiser and the correspondence from South West Trains that can be found on file.

While compiling company Questionnaires and Surveys may be a nice way of filling managers’ time, it should not be seen as any sort of indication of RMT members views as many of our members choose not to take part in company organised surveys, preferring to use the machinery already in place with their Trade Union.

Therefore, we instruct the General Secretary to inform the company that their internal Questionnaires and Surveys would have little or no relevance when negotiating with this union. Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.”

In accordance with the above, I am now acting on the instructions of the GGC decision and I will, of course, keep you fully advised on any further developments.

Best wishes.

Bob Crow
General Secretary

Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2012- South West Trains

Rates of Pay & Conditions of Service 2012 – South West Trains

I am in receipt of correspondence from the company in regard to pension contributions. This correspondence has been considered by the GGC which has taken the following decision:-

“That we note the report from our Regional Organiser and the correspondence from South West Trains that can be found on file.

Accordingly we instruct the General Secretary to inform the company that we agree that the increase in pension contributions planed from July 2013 should include revised rates of pay arising from the October 2012 pay award.”

In light of this decision, the company has been advised of our acceptance of this increase to the pension contributions. For clarification purposes, please see the following quote from the company's correspondence:-
“As you know the assessable pay for pension contributions is normally taken as at 1st April each year however, we will not have any new rates of pay that may be agreed for the October 2012 pay review introduced in time for the 1st April 2013 assessment. So not to put an added strain on the SWT section of the pension scheme, SSWT’s position is that the revised rates of pay based on the 1st October 2012 increase will, once agreed, be applied to pension contributions from 1st July 2013 even though these will not be in payment on 1st April 2013.”


I would be grateful if you bring the contents of this circular to the attention of your members.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow
General Secretary

Update on SWT Pay

To confirm that South West Trains have advised this Union on their offer on the October 2012 pay.


1. Increase in rates of pay by 2.5% minimum on annual increase on rates of pay or £500 minimum what ever the greater.

2. An increase of 2.5% on London and South East and associated allowances

3. The company are also prepared to introduce a family & friends concessionary travel scheme.

The increases will be effective from 1st October 2012 meaning there will be of course, back pay should the offer be accepted.

All comments on this offer will be welcomed.

Election Results

O/23/-
7th March 2013
Circular No. MF/27/13



To: All Branches & Regional Councils

Dear Colleague


ELECTION RESULTS


BTUC CONGRESS 2013 (September 8th to 11th, Bournemouth)

With reference to the above, the following have been elected:

• David O’ Donnell (Fife & District, General Grades Region 1)
• Mansur Khan (Leeds City, General Grades Region 2)
• Keith Simpson (Chester, General Grades Region 3)
• Ruth Strong (East Midland Central, General Grades Region 4)
• Alex Gordon (Bristol, General Grades Region 5)
• Jared Wood (Neasden, General Grades Region 6)
• Deborah Rios Alonso (Waterloo, Female Delegate)
• Glenroy Watson (Finsbury Park, Black & Ethnic Minority Delegate)

Due to a clerical error the Shipping Grades election had to be re-run with the result now due on March 13th 2013.

BTUC BLACK WORKERS CONFERENCE 2013 (April 12th to 14th, London)

With reference to the above, the following have been elected:

• Shakeel AHMED (Birmingham Rail)
• Gurpal ATWAR (Leicester & Rutland)
• Mohammad ILYAS (Leeds City)
• Mansour KHAN (Leeds City)
• Peter LEWIS (Waterloo)
• Thandiwe MABODOKO (Surrey & Hants)
• Zimele MAROTI (Glasgow No. 5)
• Mohammad MUJAHID (Stratford No. 1)
• Frank MURRAY (LU Engineering)
• Jayesh PATEL (Bakerloo Line)
• Patrick RAEBURN (Neasden)
• Jason ST. JOHN (Harlesden Engineering)
• Glenroy WATSON (Finsbury Park)
• Clinton WOODBURN (Birmingham Engineering)
• Mohammed YOUNIS (Leeds City)


In addition, Nadeem Ahmed (Reading) is a reserve.

Yours sincerely



Bob Crow
General Secretary

Travel Facilities-Wessex Region-Network Rail

Circular No: IR/157/13

Our Ref: BR4/12/1

7th March 2013

To: Branches, Regional Councils & Regional Offices

Dear Colleague

TRAVEL FACILITIES - WESSEX REGION - NETWORK RAIL

I recently received information from reps that Network Rail were planning on making an announcement regarding changes to travel facilities at a forthcoming Maintenance Area Council Meeting in Wessex due to take place this week. I made urgent enquiries of Network Rail intentions and today I received a response. The company stated that the Wessex Alliance were to offer Network Rail staff within the Wessex Alliance the ability to obtain a travel pass for travel on South West Trains and Island Lines. The company have made clear that this would be classed as a discretionary benefit that could be withdrawn at any time, that is would only be offered within Wessex, also that it would not form part of any Terms and Conditions or be subject to collective negotiations. Finally, it would not extend beyond the lifetime of the South West trains franchise.

Network Rail is proposing to present the offer and details as to how it will be rolled out at the imminent Maintenance Area Council meeting.

I will write again once I have further information but in the meantime I would be grateful if you could bring the contents of this circular to the attention of your members.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow
General Secretary

Joint Operation -Train Operating Companies & Network Rail

Circular No IR/149/13


To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils


Our Ref: BR/15/4
7th March 2013


Dear Colleagues

JOINT OPERATION – TRAIN OPERATING COMPANIES & NETWORK RAIL

Further to my previous circular on the above matter dated 20th November 2012 (IR/647/12), I can report that I have been able to obtain a copy of a continuation document which refers to an Alliance Framework between First Scotrail and Network Rail.

The General Grades Committee has considered this matter and has taken the following decision:

“That we note the report covering the proposed ‘deep alliance’ between Network Rail and First Scotrail. Further we note that Scotrail and Network Rail will be arranging consultation meeting to discuss this matter, with all relevant trade unions invited to attend.

Further we note that the General Secretary will be meeting the Managing Director of South West Trains regarding a similar alliance between SWT and NR. Therefore we instruct the General Secretary to place a full report from both meetings before us as soon as possible. Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.”

I will now be acting on the instructions of this decision and I will keep you advised of any developments.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow
General Secretary

Bob Crow on Question Time

Dear Colleague,

BBC QUESTION TIME - THURSDAY 7th MARCH 10.35PM FROM DOVER

I will be appearing on the panel on BBC1's Question Time this Thursday, 7th March at 10.35pm, from the ferry terminal in Dover.

Of course I will be using the opportunity to make the case for worker's rights, public services and the defence of jobs and decent wages and working conditions.

If you miss the programme it will be available on the BBC's IPLAYER service after the show.




Bob Crow
RMT General Secretary

SWT Pay Update

A meeting was held with South West Trains to discuss Oct 2012 pay on, 28th Feb.

The company advised us they were making a final offer as follows,

2.5% or £500 (whichever is the greater) on rates of pay.
2.5% increase on London waiting.
Introduction of family and friends travel concession scheme (detail to follow).

The offer was conditional on accepting a range of issues to improve the return to normal services following, disruption of services.

Your negotiaters explained to the company that we would be willing to discuss any procedure or policy the company wanted to propose however we could not be tied to accepting those proposals based upon agreeing pay.

The company have indicated they would write to the union with their offer in writing outling what they would formally propose as their final offer.

The offer has not been rejected or accepted at this time, we have asked to company to reflect on their offer before committing this to a final position.

The Regional Organiser will be making a report to the GGC once he has received the company's proposal and will keep you advised of developements.

Use Of Agencies in the Railway Industry

Circular No IR/146/13


To All Branches, Regional Offices & Regional Councils


Our Ref: BR1/13/1
1st March 2013


Dear Colleagues

USE OF AGENCIES IN THE RAILWAY INDUSTRY

Further to my previous circular on the above matter dated 17th January 2013 (IR/36/13), the General Grades Committee has considered this matter and has taken the following decision:

“We note the further responses from Train Operating Companies as follows:

• Grand Central states that it uses Trainpeople at King’s Cross, jointly with First Hull Trains (although First Hull Trains states that it does not use Trainpeople). We instruct the General Secretary to seek a meeting with both employers to discuss the situation and seek to ensure that they are fulfilling their legal obligations under the Agency Worker Regulations 2010.
• Virgin states that it does not use Trainpeople and that its use of agencies is ‘negligible’. We instruct the General Secretary to write to Virgin seeking details of exactly what use it is making of agencies.
• Northern Rail confirms that it is using Trainpeople for revenue protection work. We note that Northern Rail’s use of agencies is subject to a current dispute with this union.
• East Coast states that it does not use Trainpeople. We instruct the General Secretary to seek clarification as to which other agencies it does use.
• South West Trains states that it does not use Trainpeople.
• Merseyrail states that it does not use Trainpeople.
• Greater Anglia states that it is reviewing all contracts with agencies. We instruct the General Secretary to immediately contact this company seeking an internal meeting at which this union can make the case for direct employment instead of the use of agencies.
• London Midland states that it has used Trainpeople ‘on occasions’. We instruct the General Secretary to write to the company seeking a meeting to discuss the situation.

We note the report from our Regional Organiser that Chiltern Railways uses the Evolution agency for cleaning duties and that its staff are paid £6.90 per hour, have access to advertised Chiltern vacancies and free staff travel to and from work; and that the company is exploring restructuring cleaners’ employment, including the possibility of bringing this work in-house and/or applying the Living Wage. We instruct the General Secretary to pursue these discussions in line with union policy.

Further to our letter to TOCs and London Underground Ltd, we instruct the General Secretary to write similarly to all other railway employers and to place responses in front of us. We instruct the General Secretary to ensure that our ‘Know Your Rights’ guide is printed without further delay. We welcome the translation of this guide into Russian and Polish and instruct the General Secretary to seek translations into Romanian and Bulgarian as well.

This matter is to be placed back in front of us in the event of any developments and in any case before the end of April 2013. Branches and Regional Councils to be advised.”

I will now be acting on the instructions of this decision and I will keep you advised of any developments.

Yours sincerely

Bob Crow
General Secretary